"Somerville, MA in the 1940's and 1950's was a unique place in which to grow up. A populous city of over 100,000, a short bus and train ride into Boston. The commercial courses at Somerville High trained me well for a secretarial position after school."

"I graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Texas in 1960. The teachers in my senior year had to be saints. They had dreaded having me in their classes because of my reputation as a class comedian and a general goof off."

"As a teenager in rural Mississippi, my friends and family were the center of my universe. I loved nothing more than hanging out and driving around our small town. When I was in school, I spent more of my time day-dreaming than learning."

"The path – or even the destination – that we each take in life is not always clear at the outset. Since I was young, I felt that I had the potential, the drive, and the work ethic required to be successful."

"I spent my childhood on a small farm in rural eastern Ohio. Since age 5, following the death of my mother, I was raised with a foster family. Growing up, I was really enthralled by the world of astronomy, science fiction, and the budding space program."

"I remember taking the Project Talent tests in the high school gym over several days. According to my test scores, I did well in math and science. I was encouraged to study these subjects and consider a career in these areas."